Indiana has had its first confirmed case of Measles in 5 years. One case is considered an outbreak. Measles is the most contagious disease known with 90% of unvaccinated/under vaccinated individuals getting the disease after exposure. There is not a current cure for Measles (it has to run its course with supportive medication), and vaccines are they ONLY way to prevent disease. Children under the age of 5 are most at risk for severe complications from measles, including death. People who have measles can spread the virus to others from four days before the rash appears to four days after. The virus can live on infected surfaces and in the air for up to two hours. To schedule your appointment, you can call 812-435-2400 option 1, or you can contact your primary care provider. For more information about the confirmed case or the disease, please click one of the buttons below.

The Vanderburgh County would like to recognize and congratulate the Foundation for Better Health on being a recipient of the Early Years Initiative Grant through Lilly Endowment Inc.

FDA’s investigation is ongoing.

Click here to read the full article. 

Current Update: February 29, 2024

After additional analysis of the cinnamon collected from the manufacturer in Ecuador (Austrofoods), FDA has confirmed that the lead and chromium previously detected in the cinnamon are from lead chromate. People who ate recalled products, especially if they had elevated blood lead levels, may have been exposed to chromium and should inform their healthcare provider so they can monitor health and provide supportive care, as needed. Healthcare providers can refer to CDC’s Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA Now) announcement for information for additional guidance.

Historically, lead chromate has been illegally added to certain spices increase to their weight and enhance their color, which increases the monetary value of the adulterated spices. FDA’s leading hypothesis remains that this was likely an act of economically motivated adulteration.

Further, FDA has limited authority over foreign ingredient suppliers who do not directly ship product to the U.S. This is because their food undergoes further manufacturing/processing prior to export. Thus, the FDA has limited ability to take direct action with Negasmart (the supplier of cinnamon to Austrofoods) or Carlos Aguilera (the processor of the cinnamon sticks).

Ecuadorian officials in Agencia Nacional de Regulación, Control y Vigilancia Sanitaria (ARCSA) have reported that Carlos Aguilera of Ecuador, is the likely source of contamination and is not in operation at this time.

Previous updates not captured by the initial timeline below are in the Previous Updates section. FDA will update the advisory as information becomes available.

 
FDA Complaint/Adverse Event Report Overview

Total Complaint/Adverse Event Report: 90*
Report Date Ranges: October 17, 2023 – January 16, 2024
States with Complaint/Report: AL (1), AR (1), AZ (1), CA (1), CT (1), FL (1), GA (2), IA (1), IL (5), IN (1), KY (3), LA (4), MA (3), MD (7), MI (8), MO (3), NC (6), NE (2), NH (1), NJ (1), NM (1), NY (8), OH (3), OK (1), PA (2), SC (2), TN (3), TX (3), VA (2), WA (4), WI (2), WV (3), Unknown (3)
Product Distribution: Nationwide

*Estimate based on Consumer Complaint and CFSAN Adverse Event Reporting System (CAERS) reports received by the FDA.

Investigation of Elevated Lead Levels: Applesauce Pouches (November 2023)

Sample WEIS Product Images from the Investigation of Elevated Lead Levels in Applesauce Pouches (November 2023)

Click the button below to schedule a lead test for your child with the Vanderburgh County Health Department, or call (812) 435-2400.

      The Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office would like to alert the public of recent overdose deaths involving the drug Carfentanil. This drug can be 1,000 times more potent than Morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl. It does not give second chances. First Responders and local hospitals have also reported recent increases in overdoses and are very likely related to Carfentanil arriving in the community. If friends or family know someone who is using drugs please encourage them and support their effort to seek treatment.

Steven W. Lockyear

Vanderburgh County Coroner

Employees, clients, and visitors cannot use tobacco products of any kind on VCHD owned or leased property such as the building, grounds, immediate adjacent city sidewalks surrounding the building, parking lots, and vehicles.

  • Tobacco Products:  This category includes all forms of tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery systems including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, snuff, chewing tobacco, strips, sticks, orbs (nicotine pellets), smokeless tobacco, electronic-cigarettes, vapes, heat-not-burn products, loose tobacco, and cigarette paper.
  • Employee: Any individual who is employed by the VCHD, IDOH, or is an intern.  
  • Client: Any individual receiving services at the VCHD.
  • Visitor: Any individual not classified as an employee or a client.

This policy has been adapted from the Olmstead County Public Health Department in Michigan as part of the Tobacco Free Grounds Policy Toolkit for Worksites.

The Vanderburgh County Health Department is the third health department in Indiana to receive accreditation.

Becoming an Accredited Health Department embodies a commitment to national standards set by the Public Health Accreditation Board. This certification ensures that the Vanderburgh County Health Department will strive for continuous improvement, increase our credibility within public health, and proves we are accountable to the community we serve.

The Vanderburgh County Health Department wants to make residents aware of “Rainbow Fentanyl” which is being found in different parts of the country. For more information visit the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) website – DEA Warns Brightly Colored Fentanyl Used to Target Young Americans